Residents in a Lancaster apartment block are being helped through the crisis by university staff.

Lancaster University’s Head of Philanthropy Paul McCarthy and Dr Sophie Alkhaled from Lancaster University Management School both live at Cedar Manor on Ashton Road, where they have been helping some of the residents.

92 year old Jean Jeffreys is one of the residents who praised Paul and Sophie whom she described as “popular residents amongst mostly older people.”

She said they both offered help as soon as the pandemic became a problem.

“Since the virus became a very worrying feature, Paul quickly put a note on our notice board offering help to all residents – in any way – with his phone number where he can be contacted any time. Sophie swiftly added her own very kind offering of support.

“Although Paul has no car, he has walked to Booths several times a day for shopping for us old ones; he has regularly phoned those without young family support, and has cared for many who need company and other help.

“Sophie has also been always on call for trips to the pharmacy – this division of duties between them has proved to be a very good system.”

Mrs Jeffreys is herself the widow of Stephen Jeffreys, the first Secretary of Lancaster University.

“I feel the work that was done in the early days to bring Town & Gown together, which was so important then, has been renewed and I feel so proud of how hard Paul and Sophie have worked these last two or three weeks to help us all.

“Both Paul and Sophie are a credit to the University.”